Stainless Steel hull?

trouty · Oct 28, 2002

How about this bad baby...on Ebay for anyones interested - $125K US buys it now..

Bid on this bad boy!

One Of A Kind -1993 Dobbertin Surface Orbiter
Vehicle Description

This incredibly unique amphibious vehicle was called "Captain Nemo's Corvette" by Brock Yates in April 1994 Car & Driver where it was stated, "This thing makes an Indy car look like a homebuilt." For those of you who can't decide between a car or a boat, this one is for you! Painstakingly built over a 4-1/2 year period (14,000+ man hours) by renowned pro-street car builder, Rick Dobbertin (builder of Hot Rod Magazine's 1982 and 1986 cars of the year). This one has it all! It not only looks great, but is extremely functional, having already travelled through 28 countries on land and sea in an amphibious around the world attempt. Joe Woods of Motor Age states, "I am familiar with metal work on Japanese Superbikes and Military Aircraft- next to Dobbertin's work, they all seem like lashed-up stone-age tools." The hull and frame are completely fabricated from 304 stainless steel. The car features a 6.5 liter GM turbo diesel and a 4-speed automatic, 4-WD with 4 wheel disc brakes, Dual steering, 32 gauges, dual 200 AMP alternators, 120V inverter, GPS, and radar. It has a sink, microwave and even a bow thruster for docking. If you are intersted in a truly one-of-a-kind-never-to-be-duplicated machine, call Rick at (315)695-6645 or visit hydrocar.us on the web for more information.

Vehicle Condition

Great - (30,000 land miles & 3,000 ocean miles) Many recent upgrades including: Batteries, Starter, Front Tires, Steering Wheels, Rear Driveshaft, Front Hub Locks, and Internal Drive Assembly
Click to expand...

Look out Fish - here I come!

I can see me at the helm now!

Ohhh baby..i want you bad!!!!

How come i can't help feeling this guy hijacked a milk tanker and strapped it to his monster truck!!

Cheers!

Canada Jeff · Oct 31, 2002

I seen that thing this summer. Wasn't driving or floating, just parked there. Took a look inside and out. Seemed like a fairly well built machine. All I could notice was a leaking axle seal, Other wise it was pretty big once you got beside it. Seen it outside of Alexandria Bay NY.

Guest · Nov 18, 2002

Wouldn't the cone shaped "bow" make it VERY wet if you encountered a wake or waves over a foot or two?

Guest · Nov 18, 2002

Would have loved it when I was a kid though

Angélique · Feb 15, 2017

. . . some related threads . . .

- 44 ft Sailing Yacht - Completely Build of 316 L Stainless Steel - ? ? ? ?

- Stainless Steel Hull Yacht

- Is a Stainless Steel boat possible ?

Angélique · Feb 15, 2017

‘‘ Captain Nemo's Corvette ’’

I've just looked up the post #1 baby . . .

Amphibious Vehicle . Net ---> Amphibians ---> D ---> (scroll down to) Dobbertin Surface Orbiter (1993)

Dobbertin Surface Orbiter (1993)

There was the American couple who built an amphibious vehicle out of a 1950 stainless steel milk truck tank!

The Panamanians called it "The Shrimp", since the front was made into a long point.

They drove the vehicle to Key West from up state New York, then island hopped to Venezuela, navigated through the Panama Canal to Panama City, and were laid over in the local yacht club. After a couple of weeks of servicing several systems that had become corroded from the ocean, they set off again to drive through Central America to Southern California.

Starting in December 1993 they crossed 28 countries and 38 states before lack of money stopped them.
The Scrimp travelled 53 000 km over land and 5000 over the water.
It was in 1995 the second amphibious vehicle to use the Panama Canal full length.
In 1955 La Tortuga sailed part of the Canal.
In 1960 the family Hamilton sailed the Canal from end to end with a DUKW.

The entire RV/boat was make of stainless steel, but it was so cramped inside that you can not stand up. You literally had to crawl from the driver's seat over the engine to the small galley that contained a propane camp stove and tiny refrigerator.

Engine: V8 Turbo diesel 6500 cc 250 hp
Gearbox: 4 speed automatic with overdrive
Transfer-box 4 wd high and low
Speed land: 115 km/h water: 15 km/h
Length: 10 750 width: 2500 height: 3500 mm
Weight 9000 kg al in
Fuel: 1287 lit
Water propulsion: 22" propeller

The Surface Orbiter was sold in 2004 to Chicago antique car collector Chuck Parsons.
Parsons and Jack Bowser were still rebuilding the Surface Orbiter in 2011
They also intending to pursue a global circumnavigation attempt.
Bowser thought that he would be the first to do so!
(perhaps because Half-Safe was occasionally towed or craned).

There is an inactive Twitter page https://twitter.com/SurfaceOrbiter.
The website https://www.surfaceorbiter.com once had a little info but is empty now.

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Stainless Steel hull?

trouty Guest

Canada Jeff Junior Member

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Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

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